Preventive Care: Five Tips To Be Proactive About Your Health

Preventive care is a cornerstone of maintaining optimal health and well-being. It involves proactive measures and health interventions to avert the onset or progression of illnesses and conditions. From annual checkups and routine screenings to immunizations and vaccines, preventive care empowers individuals to take control of their health.

Annual Physical Exam

A regular physical exam allows your provider to identify any changes from your previous exam. If you haven’t had a physical exam in some time, a physical exam is also a great opportunity to get a full comprehensive assessment. Your provider will likely check the following:

• Vital signs including height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate
• Ear, nose, and throat
• Body mass index
• Heart, lung, abdominal, and extremities
• Breast or prostate exam

Screenings

Screenings are the best way to detect diseases at early onset. Depending on your age and risk factors, for example, your provider might schedule a preventive screening such as a prostate screen or mammogram, during your annual physical exam.

Your provider is also likely to review your lifestyle and family history, and based on that information, they may order blood tests or other diagnostics to make recommendations going forward. Blood testing, for example, can be used to check blood sugar, cholesterol, and other levels that might identify abnormalities leading to conditions such as cardiovascular disease or thyroid disease.

Common screenings include:

• Blood pressure
• Blood glucose
• Cholesterol
• Cancer (more often in adults 45 to 75 and might include breast, cervical, colorectal, or lung cancer screenings)
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sexually transmitted diseases and infections

Immunizations

We recently covered immunizations in our blog last month; visit it for more details. As a reminder, Bluestem Health’s providers stay up-to-date with the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We offer everything from the latest seasonal flu vaccines to scheduled immunizations across all ages. Our immunization care plan is always based on your age and individual needs.

Schedule a Dentist Appointment

At Bluestem Health, we recommend our patients schedule a dental exam and cleaning twice a year. Getting in this appointment will keep your immune system at its best during this season. Good oral health has been proven to lead to better overall health, by keeping harmful germs out of your body’s system. By scheduling your biannual dentist appointment, our family hygienists and dentists can keep your oral health on track.

Mental Health

It’s estimated that one in every eight emergency department visits in the U.S. is related to a mental health condition and or substance abuse. Bluestem Health’s providers play a critical role in early detection and can refer patients for mental healthcare needs in our healthcare setting. We also have a behavioral health team, including therapists who can see patients for counseling and support. The behavioral experts can also help with patient care plans and assess needs with primary care providers.

Visit Us

Bluestem Health is here to help you and your family be proactive about health. Whether that’s an annual exam, screenings, vaccinations, a dentist appointment, or a mental health concern, reach out at (402) 476-1455 to get a proactive start in 2024.